Claudia Gadelha Eyes February Return From Injured Finger

Originally, the UFC was targeting a women’s strawweight title rematch between devastating champion Joanna Jedrzeczyk, and No. 1-contender Claudia Gadelha.

However, it was recently announced that “Joanna Champion” would be defending her title in the co-main event of UFC 193 in November against No. 10-ranked Valerie Letourneau. This news seemed to surprise fans, media members, and even Gadelha admitted that she was surprised that Jedrzeczyk would be facing someone else.

So why the switch?

It was reported on tonight’s (September 9, 2015) edition of UFC Tonight that “Claudinha” had suffered an injury that would put her out of action until February:

Claudia Gadelha injury update: She has injured ligaments, but will be ready in February. That’s why Letourneau got the title shot.

One would likely think that once healed, Gadelha will get her shot against the winner of UFC 193’s Jedrzeczyk vs. Letourneau bout, which the Polish champion will likely be the heavy favorite in.

Back in December at UFC on FOX 13, Jedrzeczyk and Gadelha battled it out for the first time in a very close, back and forth three-round scrap in which Jedrzeczyk ultimately won a somewhat controversial split-decision. Many believe that the decision should have been handed to the Brazilian, but Gadelha bounced back nonetheless by taking out former WSOF (World Series of Fighting) champion Jessica Aguilar at August 1’s UFC 190.